By Don Ketchum

A year ago, Peoria Centennial’s football team was all dressed up with no place to go.

Centennial thought it would be facing Scottsdale Chaparral for the Class 5A Division II championship, but Tempe Marcos de Niza ruined its plans by stunning the Coyotes in the semifinals 16-14.

On Friday night (Dec. 3), Centennial was back in the semis, this time against Tucson Ironwood Ridge. The Coyotes weren’t about to take anything for granted.

Third-seeded Centennial scored two quick touchdowns, then saw No. 7 seed Ironwood Ridge come back to tie it. Centennial pulled away again and put the game away 38-28, at Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor High.

Even though it is a year late, Centennial will have the dream match it wanted. The Coyotes (12-1) will face top-seeded Chaparral (13-0) for the championship on Dec. 13 (Monday) at 8 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Chaparral advanced with a 42-29 semifinal win over Avondale Westview.

Although Centennial isn’t a one-man team, it certainly seemed like it against Ironwood Ridge.

Senior receiver-defensive back Gary Ross was a major contributor on both sides of the ball.

He caught six passes for 176 yards and a pair of touchdowns and returned an interception 30 yards for another score.

Centennial coach Richard Taylor didn’t take long to mention the 6-foot, 185-pound Ross.

“Gary Ross was special tonight,’’ Taylor said.

Ross was right in the middle of the postgame celebration, leading his teammates in a loud round of cheers.

“We’re goin’ to the ’ship (championship)! We’re goin’ to the ’ship!’’ they yelled while jumping up and down.

On Centennial’s fourth play from scrimmage in the game, Ross caught a slant pass from quarterback Justin Sanchez over the middle and outraced the defense for a 51-yard touchdown.

On Ironwood Ridge’s second play from scrimmage after the TD, Centennial forced a fumble on a running play. Vegas Johnson scooped the ball up and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Only two minutes were gone and Centennial already had a 14-0 lead.

But Taylor wasn’t thinking blowout.

“I knew it was going to be a game. They (Ironwood Ridge) have a lot of great players,’’ he said.

Ironwood Ridge (9-4) got one touchdown back on a 34-yard run by Gabe Campa and tied it early in the second quarter on a one-yard run by Mitch Fischer.

Fischer and quarterback Tyler D’amore had been a prolific pair, particularly in the latter stages of the regular season.

Centennial kept Fischer in check (only 50 yards on 18 carries and two receptions for 21 yards). D’amore, however, was outstanding, completing 15 of 30 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown.

Johnson scored on offense, on a 28-yard run with 3:23 left in the second quarter, to give Centennial a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Alex Kammeyer booted a 31-yard field goal with 4:33 left in the third for a 24-14 lead.

Late in the third, Ironwood Ridge had a fourth-and-1 from its 31 and coach Matt Johnson decided to go for it. The Nighthawks didn’t make it, losing a yard, and Centennial took over.

Lightning struck immediately, as Sanchez found Ross for a 30-yard touchdown. After Ironwood Ridge pulled within 31-21 just 42 seconds into the fourth quarter, Ross iced it with the pick-six.

“I was just out there playing football. I’ve done it all my life, catching the ball. I try to stay humble,’’ he said. “We all try to stay humble, but we are confident.’’

That will carry over into the title game.

“It doesn’t matter who we play. Bring on the best of them,’’ Ross said.